Randall's Island Park Alliance Wins US EPA Award

NEW YORK, May 3, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- The Randall's Island Park Alliance (RIPA) announced today that it has been awarded a 2017 Environmental Champion Award from the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 2.

RIPA received the designation specifically for its Waterfront Stewardship Program (WSP). The WSP was created to take advantage of the Park's miles of waterfront parkland, including over 20 acres of wetlands, meadows and forested habitat that have been restored and maintained by RIPA over the last 25 years. RIPA works to care for the Island's shoreline while forming strong relationships with local communities through an extensive volunteer network, and by hosting public events, guided tours, research partnerships and educational programming for local public schools.

Aimee Boden, President of the Randall's Island Park Alliance and NYC Park Administrator for Randall'sIsland Park, commented: "We are thrilled to receive this award from the EPA and are honored by the EPA's acknowledgment of our responsible oversight of the Island's natural resources. We take tremendous pride in our Waterfront Stewardship Program, which provides opportunities for over 4,200 New York City public school students and over 1,000 volunteers to study and visit each year. It is wonderful to be recognized by the EPA for doing great work that helps preserve the environment."

Boden added, "We continue to strive for environmental excellence as the Park becomes a premier destination for recreation, education and exploration of nature."

The EPA will honor this year's award recipients at a ceremony later this month.

About the Randall's Island Park Alliance

The Randall's Island Park Alliance (RIPA), founded in 1992, is a public-private partnership with the NYC Department of Parks & Recreation. Celebrating 25 years as the dedicated steward of Randall'sIsland Park, the Alliance works with the City and local communities to sustain, maintain and develop programs within the Park to sup­port the well-being of all New Yorkers. The Park offers miles of waterfront pathways, 20 acres of natural areas and wetlands, an urban farm, a track and field stadium, a golf center, a 20-court tennis center and dozens of new playing fields, as well as the Harlem River Event Site.